MONTREAL — Two hours before playing his first NHL game in Montreal, it showed on the face of Devils rookie Stefan Matteau.

“The nerves are starting to build up. I grew up watching games in this building,” he said outside the visiting dressing room in the Bell Centre. “My family is from here, so this is a great experience.”

What does he expect?

“A lot of noise,” he said. “This is a great atmosphere. A lot of guys say this is their favorite building to play in.”

That would go for Martin Brodeur, who spoke to Matteau about the big day.

“A little bit. He’s excited,” Brodeur said. “I remember my first time I played in Montreal. Friends and family. For me it was probably a little different. He was probably traveling everywhere from Chicago, New York, Chicago and San Jose. But I’m sure he’s really excited. First game in Montreal is exciting for any player, but especially for French Canadians.”

Brodeur grew up in Montreal and played his first game in the old Forum on Dec. 8, 1993.

“I do miss it. I miss the old places. Boston Garden or Buffalo or Toronto,” Brodeur said. “There is something to home ice advantage. You don’t get that often now the way the rinks are built the same. When you come to places like that it’s special. People are right on top of you. It’s really loud. They have educated fans here, also, about the game.”

The Bell Centre is the “old place” for Matteau, 18. He saw his first game there about five years ago.

“It was my 13th or 14th birthday. I was sitting in the first row. (Alex) Ovechkin was my favorite player and my parents got me that for my birthday,” Matteau remembered.

He faced Ovechkin Friday night at the Prudential Center.

“I got a chance to play against him last week, so that was pretty special, too,” he said.

Did he hit his idol?

“We bumped into each other a couple of times,” Matteau said.

Some of his junior teammates from the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada
Jr team will be at the game.

“A few of them are going to be here,” Matteau said. “They were originally the Montreal juniors. Last year was their first year after moving to Blainville.”

Matteau could have been playing for the Canadiens, who tried to move up in the 2012 draft. The Devils took him 29th overall. He was aware that the Canadiens were interested.

“A little bit. I was hearing things here and there,” Matteau said. “I wasn’t concentrating on that. I was waiting for my name to get called. Anywhere would’ve been fine. I don’t think I could’ve gone to a better (team). I’m proud to be here (with the Devils).”

After his hometown debut, Matteau has one more NHL game to reach the point where the Devils must decide whether to keep him for the season or send him back to juniors.

“Lou is the one who deals with the five-game rule, going back to junior and all that stuff,” coach Pete DeBoer noted. “In my mind he’s getting an opportunity to play with two of the best players in the league in Zajac and Kovalchuk. He deserves to get that opportunity. It’s what he does with it.”

* * *

Martin Brodeur has a seat from the old Forum, where he watched games while growing up in Montreal and played his first game in his hometown.

This trip to Montreal is a bit different for the 40-year-old goalie, who is signed through next season. This will not be his last game in the Bell Centre.

“It’s always exciting. It doesn’t matter what age you are. It’s your hometown,” Brodeur said. “When you’re closer to the end you think, ‘Is it the last time?’ Right now I know it’s not going to be the last time, hopefully.”

The Devils only play in Montrealk once this season with the shortened 48-game schedule.

“We only come here once rather than twice. It would be more fun for me to come here twice,” Brodeur said.

* * *
DeBoer on unsigned winger Mathieu Darche: “I give him credit. He wants to keep playing. He’s in good shape. He’s practicing every day waiting for an opportunity, whether it’s with us or with somebody else. For me, they more veterans like that around that send the right message, the better.”

Cam Janssen returns to the Devils' lineup tonight in place of Krys Barch.

The sons of Brian Gionta and Erik Cole will be the pregame flag bearers for the game.

Stephen Gionta had dinner at his brother's house last night and said his nephew was excited.

"You have to be seven years old and he finally turned seven last summer, Stephen said. "He was pumped about tonight, telling me all about it."